All Reviews for Kailua-Kona

The beauty of big island speaks for itself, and it only gets better with an awesome tour guide! Brett was an exceptional tour guide. He is extremely knowledgeable, loves what he does, and it shows. I had a great time learning so much about the islands and volcanoes from him, and he's a great storyteller too! The black sand beach is beautiful, and the sunset from the volcano house is unforgettable. Probably the highlight of the tour was stargazing at the end. We got lucky with a gorgeous clear sky! There's a lot of driving so just relaxing in the van listening to Brett tell us about the islands while staring out at the scenery made for a great and laid back day. Just what I needed to end my vacation with before getting back to school. Thanks for teaching me so much! I highly recommend this tour, and will hopefully do it again when I come back with my family!

the boat ride to the snorkeling site was really good. saw dolphins and flying fish en route.
the snorkeling itself was good but not great. not a large variety of sea life. the water was very choppy. Crew were good and helpful. Food was really bad.

- I was really impressed by the attention to detail in various places; it was very thoughtful. I highly recommend this tour.
- The bento that came with the tour was delicious and completely different from those offered in other optional tours (which are often inedible). I mistakenly thought the provided bento would be unappetizing and ate beforehand, which was a waste.
- I participated in July and had heard it would be cold at the summit, so I prepared a down vest, earmuffs, and gloves. However, just layering the down jacket and long pants provided by the tour was sufficient.
- This time, it was a full moon, so the starry sky wasn't that great. I would like to participate again during a new moon.

・色んなところに細かな気配りがされていて、すごく気が利いてると感心しました。すごくお勧めできるツアーです。
・ツアーに付いてくるお弁当も他所のオプショナルツアーのそれ（食べれる代物で無い）とは違い普通に美味しく食べれる弁当でした。
（提供される弁当は、まともに食べれないと予想し直前に食べてきてしまい失敗。無駄でした。）
・7月の参加でしたが頂上は寒いと聞いていたので、ダウンベスト、耳当て、手袋を準備して行きましたが、ツアーで準備されているダウンジャケット、長ズボンを重ね着するだけで十分でした。
・今回は満月で明るく星空はいまいちでしたので、また新月の時に参加したいと思っています。

My husband and I and our two kids did the kayak tour and it was a lot of fun. It was a workout but the tour guides were very helpful and friendly. My kids are 15 and 9 and they both handled it well. We would recommend and probably do it again.

It was my son's and my first kayaking experience together. The instruction was thorough, and we had a lot of fun. It required more physical strength than I expected, and I gradually fell behind on the way back, but the sense of achievement when we reached the shore was wonderful. It became a great memory. Thank you very much!☆

息子と2人で初めてのカヤック体験でした。
丁寧に教えて頂き、楽しかったです。
思ったより体力必須で、帰りはだんだん追いつけなくなりましたが、岸に着いたときの達成感がまた良かったです。良い思い出になりました。
ありがとうこざいました☆

It was a day with high waves and quite murky water, but the dolphins seemed to be in a good mood, coming close multiple times, allowing us to see them both on the surface and underwater.

Also, the love that our guides, Ray and Daisuke, had for the dolphins was wonderful. They prioritized not making the dolphins uncomfortable, which I believe is a rule we must follow when interacting with wild dolphins.

Since the tour takes place in an area where you can't touch the bottom at all, you'll float in a wetsuit, and Ray and Daisuke provide maximum advice and support. However, to fully enjoy this tour, I think it would be more fun if you try snorkeling in shallow waters or have the guts to dive in without being able to touch the bottom.

Thank you to the dolphins who healed us, to Ray and Daisuke for the opportunity, and to everyone who participated! ✨

波が高く、結構水が濁っていた日でしたが、イルカの機嫌がよかったようで、何回も近くに来てくれてたくさん海面でも海中でも見ることができました。

また、ガイドのレイさんとダイスケさんのイルカに対する愛がとても素敵でした。イルカに嫌な思いをさせないことを最優先にする、それは私たちが野生のイルカと触れ合うにあたって守らなきゃいけないルールだなと思いました。

全く足なんてつかない海域でのツアーになるので、ウェットスーツで浮きますし、レイさんとダイスケさんが最大限のアドバイスとフォローもしてくださりますが、このツアーを楽しみ切るならシュノーケリングは浅瀬で楽しんで経験してみたり、足つかなくてもどんとこーいくらいのガッツがあるとより楽しいツアーになると思います。

癒してくれたイルカとその機会をくれたレイさん、ダイスケさん、一緒に参加した方たち、ありがとうございました✨

The day of the tour had low visibility and was a bit murky, but four manta rays approached us repeatedly, coming so close that they almost touched us, which made for a very satisfying experience. I was worried about whether we would see them since they are wild animals, but it turned out great. The guide was attentive, explaining the manta rays' ecology and checking on us regarding seasickness.

On the way back, similar to the outbound trip, the boat sped back in about 20 minutes, which was a bit chilly. It was reassuring to have two bath towels for drying off and as a windbreaker. I planned to change at a public restroom after the tour, but it was closed, so I couldn't change... I think it's best to prepare to absorb some water with a towel and wear something over it for the ride back.

参加日は、透明度があまり高くなく濁り気味な日でしたが、4枚のマンタが代わる代わる何回も接近して、目の前スレスレやマンタから触れてくるぐらい近くに来てくれたので大満足なツアーになりました。
野生相手なので、会えるかどうかを心配していましたがよかったです。
ガイドの方もマンタの生態の説明から、船酔いなどどうかも色々気にしてくださっていました。

帰りは行きと同様にビュンビュン船を飛ばして20分程度かけて帰ることもあり寒めです。体を拭く用とちょっと風除け用とバスタオル2枚あると安心でした。終わってから公衆トイレで着替えようと思ったら閉まっていて着替えられず…タオルである程度水を吸収させて上から羽織って帰るくらいの準備がいいように思います。

Two years ago, I was able to encounter manta rays in astonishing numbers, but unfortunately, this time we didn't see many. Additionally, the waves were high, which made my wife feel a bit seasick, which was also disappointing. However, since we are dealing with nature, there's not much we can do about that, and it reaffirmed that our previous experience was wonderful. I thought the staff's hospitality was good, and it would have been nice if we had a bit more luck.

一昨年参加時は驚くほどマンタに遭遇出来ましたが、今回は残念ながら、数は多く見れませんでした。
また、波も高かったので、妻は若干船酔い気味だったのも残念でした。
でも、自然を相手にしているので、この辺りはどうしようもないし、前回が素晴らしい体験だったのだと再確認出来ました。
スタッフの方のホスピタリティは良かったと思いますし、私たちにもう少しラッキーがあれば良かったかな。

Our tour guide knew so much about the island - history, weather, plants, animals, local favorite spots for food and fun, beaches, etc. I wish we had reserved the tour earlier in our stay so that we could take advantage of the tips he gave! We had plenty of time at each stop to really experience each of them - Kona coffee, lava tubes, black sand beaches, turtles, volcanoes, waterfalls and more! We had beautiful weather everywhere except Akaka Falls and the driver was equipped with rain jackets for everyone. I highly recommend this tour!

Our party of 7 had an absolutely fantastic adventure on our sea cave kayak and snorkeling trip. Devon, our guide, was really knowledgeable and very fun to be with. He was very helpful and made everyone feel very comfortable and at ease.

We had a great time kayaking (about 30 minutes out and 30 minutes back), swimming, snorkeling, and even jumping off of a cliff. The visit to the sea cave was also very neat.

We feel like we had 4 different excursions between the kayaking, cliff jumping, snorkeling and swimming, and the sea cave.

We would highly recommend this trip. It turned out to be one of the highlights of our 10 days in Kona.

It had been three years since I last saw the night sea, so I was nervous.

As explained on the boat, I was able to float surprisingly easily by holding onto a semicircular ring and resting my legs on a long foam stick. Thanks to that, I could wait for the manta rays while comfortably observing plankton and fish. It was breathtaking to see the manta rays swimming close to my body and spinning around!! If I could wish for anything, it would be to see them in a group.

I borrowed a wetsuit, so I wasn't cold in the water (wearing aqua shoes might have helped too). My husband said he felt cold. Changing back when we returned was easy since I brought a pareo (a square piece of cloth).

I am grateful to the staff for providing an experience that I couldn't have done on my own.

3年ぶりと夜の海だったので、緊張しました。

船上での説明通り、半円形のリングにつかまり発泡スチロールの細長い棒に脚を乗せていたので思いのほか楽に浮いていることができました。お蔭で、プランクトンや、魚を見ながら余裕をもってマンタを待つことができました。
マンタが私の体すれすれに泳いだり、回転する様は感動でした！！
欲を言えば、群れで来てほしかったです。

ウェットスーツを借りたので、水中は寒くなかったです（アクアシューズを履いていたのも良かったかもしれません）。
・・主人は寒いと言っていました。
帰ってきた時の着替えは、パレオ（四角い布）を持ってきたので楽でした。

自分だけではできない体験ができ、スタッフのみな様に感謝いたします。

We departed at dusk and were able to enjoy the sunset sinking into the sea from the boat. We also encountered four mantas, making it a very satisfying tour. While we were snorkeling and looking into the sea, the mantas approached us with their mouths open (to eat plankton), passing right in front of us multiple times and even spinning around. They came so close that we almost touched them, even though we shouldn't have. I think this is a rare experience.

夕暮れ時に出発し、ボートから海に沈むサンセット鑑賞もできましたし、マンタ4枚にも遭遇でき、大変満足なツアーでした。シュノーケルで海をのぞいている私達に、マンタが口を開けて(プランクトンを食べるため)向かってきたり、何度も目の前を通り過きたり、回転したりと、触ってはいけないのに、触ってしまうほど近くまでやってきました。なかなか出来ない体験だと思います。

The sunset was amazing! I love traveling to various places and watching sunrises and sunsets, but this was the BEST sunset. I don't think there will be a sunset that surpasses this one. The experienced staff took beautiful photos, and I really appreciate that they are available for download.

As for stargazing, since it was a full moon the next day, there may not have been a lot of stars visible. If I go again, I would like to choose a time around the new moon or when the moon is not out. They provided a lot of explanations about the constellations while observing Jupiter, Saturn, and the moon through a telescope.

夕日が最高でした！
色んな所旅行して、朝日と夕日を見るのが好きですが、BEST OF 夕日です。
たぶんこれを超える夕日は無いかと。
経験豊富なスタッフさんがキレイな写真を撮影して下さり、
ダウンロード可能なのも非常にありがたいです。

星空観察に関して言うと、翌日満月だったこともあり、星が沢山って訳ではなかったかもしれません。次回行くなら新月の時期か、その時間帯に月が出ていない時期を選びたいです。望遠鏡で木星、土星、月を観察して星座の説明もたくさんして下さりました。

Several manta rays came right up to us, showing their bellies and dancing. It took about 30 minutes to reach the manta point after getting on the boat, and I was tired by the time we arrived due to the rain. You can see the mantas while snorkeling by holding onto the boat's rope. There are floats available, but you need to jump into the sea from the boat and swim back to it on your own. I was scared to jump in. The snorkeling lasted about 40 minutes. It was tiring because it was cold and raining. If you call out to the staff, you can return to the boat midway. On the way back, we were offered hot chocolate. It was physically challenging, but I’m grateful for the many mantas we saw and the hospitality of the Japanese staff.

何枚ものマンタがすぐそばまでやってきてくれて、おなかを見せてダンスをしてくれました。
船にのってから、マンタのポイントまでは30分程度あり、雨が降っていたこともあり、つくまでに疲れました。マンタはボートの綱に捕まってシュノーケリングしながら見ます。浮きはありますが、船から海に飛び込み、ボートまでは自力でいく必要があります。飛び込むのがこわかったです。シュノーケリングは、40分くらいあります。雨が降って寒かったので疲れました。スタッフの方に声をかけると途中で船に戻れます。
帰りの船では、ホットチョコレートをいただけました。
体力的にはつらかったけど、マンタがたくさん見られたのと、日本人スタッフの方のホスピタリティに感謝いたします。

The staff was great and made sure everyone had a great experience

That was such an amazing trip! Devon was awesome! We got to jump off a cliff, try a fresh Opihi, get some information about the island! Snorkel, and bond with our family. It really is beautiful and an amazing time. You get to see so much history of the island and it’s amazing! Our family highly recommends this!

Since it was my second time on a Segway, I was able to relax and enjoy the experience. The view of the ocean was beautiful, and we timed it perfectly for sunset. The guides were kind and took plenty of photos for us.

セグウェイが二度目だった為、リラックスして体験できました。海の景色もきれいでサンセットの時間にもちょうど良く間に合いました。写真も沢山撮影してくれ、親切なガイドさん達でした。

It was my first time doing sea kayaking and snorkeling, but it was fun. The ocean was very beautiful! Since we met at the location, if you're going by rental car, you need to secure a parking spot, but street parking was also possible.

シーカヤックもシュノーケリングも初めてでしたが、楽しかったです。海がとてもキレイでした！現地集合なので、レンタカーで行く場合は駐車場所を確保する必要がありますが路駐も可能でした。

I had a lot of fun, but even though I arrived early at the meeting place, it seems there was an explanation in English, which I struggle with. As a result, I ended up boarding the boat late, and the only seats available were on the sunny second floor, but I managed to find a spot that was somewhat shaded from the sun.

I felt a sense of alienation, realizing what it's like when you can't communicate. I had to observe the people around me while eating... For those who are not good at English at all, please pay attention to the people around you.

The sea is beautiful, and the staff are kind, but I was a bit disappointed.

とても楽しかったんですが、集合場所に早くに集まったのに、英語での説明はあったらしいが、英語が苦手。その為船に乗るのが遅くなり、二階の日の当たる席しか空いてなく、どうにか日差し遮る場所に座れました。
言葉が通じないってこんな感じなんだなって疎外感
周りの人の様子見ながら食事したり…
英語が全く苦手の人は周りの人の様子観察してください。

海は綺麗だしスタッフも優しいのですが、ちょっとガッカリでした。

It was a buffet, but there weren't many options. It seems that seating is on a first-come, first-served basis, but I arrived just in time and ended up in the last row. Moreover, right in front of me, there were reserved seats that no one was sitting in. I wish they had opened up the seats that weren't occupied by showtime. Honestly, I was standing up and watching from a very far distance, and at this price, I felt it wasn't worth it.

ビュッフェでしたが、あまり種類がありません。お席は先着順らしいのですが、時間ギリギリに行ったので最後列。しかも、真ん前正面は、席を取り置きしながら、誰も座っておらず空席。ショーの時間に着席していない席は開放して欲しかったです。すごく遠くから、立ち上がって見ていましたので正直、この価格でこれはないな。と思いました。

The guide was kind and a great speaker. I had a lot of fun. I didn't encounter any dolphins, but I did come across a large manta ray.

ガイドが親切で話しも上手。すごく楽しめました。イルカには出会えなかったけど、大きなマンタに遭遇しました。

Four years ago, I participated in the same course tour with another company, and this was my second Mauna Kea tour. The tour guide's explanations were very interesting and informative. During lunch, there was a service of warm miso soup and hot drinks. At the summit of Mauna Kea, they took many photos of each group during the stargazing session. Moreover, they upload those photos to their website, so you can download them later. I think this is especially a nice service for solo travelers who can't take their own pictures. I used to think there wasn't much difference between companies, but I realized this time that there is a significant difference. If I have the chance next time, I would definitely like to request this tour again.

４年前に別の会社で同じコースのツアーに参加して、今回が２回目のマウナケアツアーでした。
ツアーガイドの方の説明がとても面白くて、しかもためになりました。
お弁当の時には温かい味噌汁と温かいドリンクのサービスがありました。
マウナケア山頂でも星空観測の時にもグループごとに何枚も写真を撮ってくださいました。しかもその写真をホームページにアップしてくれるので、あとからダウンロードできます。一人旅の時には自分の写真が取れないので特にうれしいサービスだと思います。
どこの会社で行っても、大差はないと思っていましたが、大きく違うことに今回気が付きました。
次回、チャンスがあれば、また是非お願いしたいと思います。

We were picked up at Kings' Land in Waikoloa and taken to the venue. We rented a wetsuit ($10) and a snorkeling set (free) on-site before setting off. The boat rocked quite a bit; it swayed back and forth so much that my girlfriend got sick, which is unusual, as we were told it doesn't usually rock this much. However, the staff were very kind and accommodating! I think even those who usually do fine should definitely take motion sickness medication!

The manta rays came right up to our faces, and it was an amazing experience! It felt like they were checking in on my girlfriend, asking, "Are you okay?" which made us burst out laughing. The waves were intense, so while watching the mantas, we were lying face down, and when we returned to our usual position on the boat, I suddenly felt very seasick.

On the way back, it was quite cold even with the wetsuit on, so warm clothing is essential! The boat ride lasts about 30 minutes, and during that time, you might be shivering.

But even with that, it was the best experience! We're already talking about wanting to go see dolphins next time!

ワイコロアのキングズランドまでお迎えに来ていただき会場まで行きました。
現地でウェットスーツ(10ドル)とシュノーケルセット(無料)を借りて出発。
船はかなり揺れました、いつもはこんなに揺れないと言われるくらい縦に横に揺れて彼女は戻してしまうほど( ˊᵕˋ ;)でもスタッフの方達はかなり親切に対応して下さいました！普段大丈夫な人も酔い止め必須だと思います！

マンタは本当に顔の目の前まで来てくれて素晴らしい体験でした！！彼女に「大丈夫かー？」って言ってくれてるかのようで思わず吹き出しました。笑
波が激しかったのでマンタ見てる時はうつ伏せ状態→船に戻って普段の体制になると私も急激に酔いが回りました。

帰りはウェットスーツ来ててもかなり寒いので防寒着必須です！船は30分くらい乗るのでその間は震えます。

でもそれを差し引いても最高の体験でした！次回はイルカ行きたいねーと話しています！

It’s a bit of a distance, but you can meet dolphins, so we arrived at the point. In the distance, dolphins were jumping, and they seemed to be in a good mood today. With many dolphins and the attentive care of the two guides, I participated alone but had a great time. I want to join again!

ちょっと遠くなるけどイルカに会えるからと、ポイントに到着、遠くけらイルカがジャンプしていて、今日は機嫌がいいよーと。
たくさんのイルカとガイドのお二人の丁寧な気遣いでひとり参加でしたがとても楽しむことができました。また参加したいです！

I was moved to see wild dolphins!! The person steering the boat anticipates the dolphins' direction, which I found impressive. They provide solid support, so even those who are snorkeling for the first time will be fine. I would love to repeat this experience when I visit the island again!

野生のイルカが見れて感動！！
ボートを操縦される方がイルカの進行方向を先取りするので凄いなーと感心しました。
サポートもしっかりしてくださるのでシュノーケル初めての方でも大丈夫です。
また来島した際にはリピートしたいです！

We participated as a couple. The boat had people from various countries, not just Japanese. There were about two Japanese couples. There were mostly Caucasian people. Although the weather was nice that day, there were really few plankton to serve as bait, so we only managed to see them towards the very end. We had to stay in the water the whole time, which made it quite tough as our bodies got cold. I think it would be better to wear a long wetsuit and to go in good health.

夫婦で参加しました。船は、日本人だけでなくいろんな国の人と一緒です。日本人は２組くらい。白人系の人が多かったです。この日は天気はよかったものの、餌となるプランクトンが少なかったということで本当に最後のほうにようやく会えたかんじでした。
ずーっと水にはいっていなければならなかったので体が冷えてかなりきつかった。スエットスーツの長いのを着ていった方が良いと思いますし、体調万全で行った方が良いと思います。

It was a large boat, so I didn't mind the rocking. It probably depends on the sea conditions, but last year, when my mother participated in a different tour, she got seasick and had to sit out. This time, she finished her hamburger for lunch. At the snorkeling point, we encountered a sea turtle. On the way back, dolphins chased the boat.

I recommend the pricing for accompanying passengers. Even if snorkeling isn't possible, it's great for families who want to enjoy cruising together.

大きな船なので、船揺れが気になりませんでした。
海のコンディションにもよるのでしょうが、去年別のツアーに参加した際は船酔いでダウンしていた母が、今回はランチのハンバーガーを完食していました。
シュノーケルポイントではウミガメと遭遇。帰路はイルカが船を追いかけてきました。
同乗者料金の設定があるもお勧めポイント。
シュノーケルは無理でも、クルージングは同行したい家族連れに嬉しいですね。

There is a lot of fish under the sea! Wonderful experience!

The tour itself was incredibly exciting. However, personally, I almost experienced altitude sickness. I had quite a bit of headache and shortness of breath, but after returning to the hotel and sleeping, I felt better right away. Even with the risk of altitude sickness, I think it's a tour worth going on. The starry sky and sunset are both wonderful.

ツアー自体は最高にエキサイティングでした。
が、私個人のことなのですが高山病になりかけました。かなりの頭痛と息苦しさを少し発症してしまいましたが、ホテルに帰り、眠るとすぐ治りました。
高山病になりかけても、行くべき価値のあるツアーだと思います。
星空もサンセットも素晴らしいです。

There were interesting parts, like digging up the pig, but the prices felt too high. The fire dance at Fukushima's Hawaiians is much better. The food wasn't delicious. Also, it rained during our visit, and we got soaked. The hotel parking is only free for three hours. If it were around 5,000 yen, I could somewhat recommend it.

豚を掘り起こすところなど、面白い部分もありましたが、値段が高過ぎな印象です。
ファイアーダンスは、福島のハワイアンズの方がすごいです。
ご飯は、美味しくはありません。
また、途中で雨が降り、びしょ濡れでした。
ホテル駐車場は三時間までしか無料ではありません。
もし5000円とかなら、それなりにオススメできる内容でした。